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Wyoming cannabis reform advocates see ‘astronomical’ change in public dialogue but legislators run into more hurdles

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Wyoming cannabis reform advocates see ‘astronomical’ change in public dialogue but legislators run into more hurdles


CASPER, Wyo. — With spring within the air, hashish reform advocates in Wyoming are stepping up efforts to gather petition signatures to get decriminalization and medical hashish legalization questions on the poll in 2024.

Wyoming NORML Treasurer Bennett Sondeno mentioned on Wednesday, April 20 that petition organizers have collected over 30% of the signatures wanted to get these questions on the poll. Sondeno mentioned that in an effort to get the initiatives on the poll, signatures must be collected by subsequent February.

He mentioned that signature collections occurred over the winter however slowed down because of the climate. Wyoming NORML is making ready to rent some skilled petition signature gatherers to assist with the push to collect the mandatory signatures.

Wyoming NORML Director-at-Massive Frank Latta, who previously served within the Wyoming Legislature, mentioned Wednesday that he “picked up two full petitions this morning” and that he has observed an “astronomical” change within the public’s willingness to speak overtly a couple of want to see hashish reform occur within the state over the previous 4-5 years.

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Latta mentioned that individuals are extra keen to speak overtly about hashish legalization at locations like eating places with out feeling compelled to speak in hushed tones. He mentioned that he has additionally spoken with some regulation enforcement officers and attorneys within the state who agree that hashish reform is required in Wyoming.

“There may be positively a way in our inhabitants that the stringent penalties [on cannabis] have executed nothing however broken folks,” Latta mentioned.

The Wyoming Survey and Evaluation Heart (WYSAC) on the College of Wyoming launched outcomes of a statewide survey gauging residents’ views on hashish in 2020 that discovered 54% of residents assist legalizing grownup hashish use, up from 37% who supported legalization in 2014 an 49% who supported legalization in 2018. The 2020 WYSAC survey discovered that 85% of residents assist legalizing medical hashish. 75% mentioned they don’t assume folks ought to serve jail time for possession of small quantities of hashish.

Regardless of the robust assist for medical hashish reform and decriminalization amongst Wyoming residents, efforts to enact change by the state legislature have run into hurdles. A state-level invoice to decriminalize hashish sponsored by Rep. Mark Baker (Sweetwater County) discovered 10 co-sponsors within the Wyoming Legislature, however the Home didn’t take into account that invoice for introduction throughout the 2022 Price range Session.

Baker mentioned Wednesday that whereas he thinks it could be helpful for Wyoming to enact change earlier than federal hashish reforms occur, he’s skeptical that efforts will discover traction within the state legislature. He famous that hemp reform didn’t happen in Wyoming till there was federal change.

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“I don’t know that conversations are going to alter that dramatically [in the state legislature] except the federal authorities does one thing,” Baker mentioned. “I really feel like there’s not sufficient want to check the federal authorities on this concern.”

Baker mentioned that he doesn’t assume the push from Wyoming voters has been vital sufficient to push the needle on the difficulty. Which may have been totally different if hashish reform advocates had been in a position to gather sufficient signatures to get reform questions on the poll in November 2022, however with these efforts pushed again to getting the initiatives on the 2024 poll, Baker mentioned he thinks legislators resistant to alter have an excuse to proceed efforts to delay reform.

From his perspective, Baker mentioned the query stays whether or not federal reform or a much bigger push from constituents will result in change in Wyoming. The. U.S. Home of Representatives handed the Marijuana Alternative Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act earlier this month, a invoice that might  get rid of legal penalties for anybody who manufactures, distributes or possesses marijuana in the USA. The invoice would additionally arrange a course of to expunge legal convictions for previous hashish offenses, create an excise tax on hashish merchandise, make some loans and monetary providers out there to hashish companies and extra. That invoice might be thought of by the U.S. Senate later this 12 months.

Whereas Baker is skeptical the state legislature will enact reform till federal modifications occurs, he mentioned he needed to see the legislature’s income committee discover hashish reform throughout the interim to have a look at what it could price the state to facilitate reform and what sorts of revenues reform may generate for the state.

Leafly’s 2022 jobs report discovered that authorized hashish supported 428,059 jobs throughout the county as of January. 107,000 new jobs have been created by the trade in 2021 and authorized hashish gross sales reached $24.6 billion. The report exhibits that that compares with about $94 billion in beer gross sales.

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Rep. Andi LeBeau (Fremont County) tried to get hashish reform added as an interim matter for the legislature’s choose committee on tribal relations. She mentioned Wednesday that she offered to the committee on Tuesday.

Choose Committee on Tribal Relations Co-Chair Lloyd Larsen (Fremont County) mentioned that management determined towards taking LeBeau’s proposal on as an interim matter for the committee. He mentioned that he opposes each leisure and medical hashish legalization.

LeBeau mentioned that the medicinal worth of hashish is one thing that lots of her constituents see as a better option than opioids and that her constituents wish to see a holistic strategy to hashish reform. She added that her youthful constituents specifically are in favor of reform and that there are some efforts on the Jap Shoshone Enterprise Council to enact modifications on the Wind River Reservation. Along with the medical worth of hashish, LeBeau mentioned that she hears assist from her constituents for reform from the angle of state and tribal sovereignty.

As as to if change on the federal degree must occur earlier than some state legislators will take into account it, LeBeau mentioned she sees some irony to the scenario. She mentioned that in her expertise, most members of the legislature don’t care what the federal authorities’s place is on most points however then level to federal hashish prohibitions as a purpose to be cautious in terms of enacting state reform.

“It simply baffles me that that’s their purpose to be hesitant,” she mentioned.

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Latta mentioned that he has issues that even when hashish reform will get on the poll in Wyoming and a majority of voters approve, state authorities may discover methods to disregard the vote of the folks as he mentioned has occurred in South Dakota and Utah. He mentioned that he thinks which may occur in Wyoming and that it could result in a battle within the courts.

As for why he’s concerned in advocating for hashish reform, Latta mentioned his curiosity started for private medical causes. He mentioned he has lived with a number of sclerosis for over 20 years and that a number of medical doctors in Wyoming, Montana and Colorado have all instructed him it could be higher for him to make use of hashish than opioids which have extremely addictive qualities.

Whereas his private curiosity started from the medical perspective, Latta mentioned that from a broader political perspective, he doesn’t assume the federal government ought to have the ability to inform adults what they’ll put into their our bodies.

“We have to stop placing folks in jail for utilizing hashish in any approach,” he mentioned.

Latta mentioned that he thinks individuals are feeling much less and fewer intimidated to overtly advocate for hashish reform within the state, although he mentioned some who oppose reforms proceed to make use of what he sees as intimidation techniques. He mentioned that from his perspective, the conflict on medication has been a transparent failure and persevering with to enact penalties doesn’t make sense.

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“I don’t prefer to be concerned in madness,” he mentioned. “That’s making an attempt the identical factor again and again and anticipating totally different outcomes.”

Sondeno expressed extra optimism than some that the legislature may enact reform throughout its 2023 common session. He mentioned that Wyoming NORML’s lobbying efforts went properly throughout the 2022 price range session.

“[Legislators] are extra open about speaking about it,” he mentioned “They’re extra open about change.”

Sondeno mentioned that he thinks that the extra states round Wyoming enact reform, the extra open folks in Wyoming grow to be about desirous to see change.

Whereas some across the state are discovering methods to have fun the hashish vacation often known as 4/20 on Wednesday, Sondeno mentioned that Wyoming NORML is just not organizing something particular for vacation. He mentioned the group stays centered on advocating for reform and is wanting ahead to the hotter climate and elevated petition push that enables.

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Wyoming

How to Watch Wyoming vs. Boise State: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 23, 2024

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How to Watch Wyoming vs. Boise State: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 23, 2024


Data Skrive

Ashton Jeanty will lead the Boise State Broncos (9-1) into their game versus the Wyoming Cowboys (2-8) at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.

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Go to CBS Sports Network to watch this contest live.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Aidan Chiles links up with Nate Carter for a 20-yard TD, extending Michigan State’s lead over Purdue

Aidan Chiles linked up with Nate Carter for a 20-yard TD to extend Michigan State Spartans’ lead over the Purdue Boilermakers.

Learn more about the Boise State Broncos and the Wyoming Cowboys.

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How to Watch Boise State vs. Wyoming

  • When: Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming
  • Live Box Score: FOX Sports

Read More About This Game

  • Boise State vs. Wyoming Predictions

Boise State vs. Wyoming: Head to Head

  • Boise State has won against Wyoming two times in the past two matchups.
  • Each team has covered in one game in the past two matchups while failing to go over the total once.
  • Boise State has scored 52 points in the last two matchups while only allowing 24 to Wyoming.

Boise State’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/31/2024 at Georgia Southern W 56-45
9/7/2024 at Oregon L 37-34
9/21/2024 vs. Portland State W 56-14
9/28/2024 vs. Washington State W 45-24
10/5/2024 vs. Utah State W 62-30
10/12/2024 at Hawaii W 28-7
10/25/2024 at UNLV W 29-24
11/1/2024 vs. San Diego State W 56-24
11/9/2024 vs. Nevada W 28-21
11/16/2024 at San Jose State W 42-21
11/23/2024 at Wyoming
11/29/2024 vs. Oregon State

Boise State 2024 Stats & Insights

  • Boise State owns the 73rd-ranked defense this year (371.7 yards allowed per game), and has been more effective on offense, ranking fourth-best with a tally of 492.2 yards per game.
  • With 267 passing yards allowed per game on defense, which ranks 10th-worst in the FBS, Boise State has been forced to lean on their 60th-ranked passing offense (233.5 passing yards per contest) to keep them competitive.
  • On the offensive side of the ball, the Broncos have been a top-25 unit, ranking third-best in the FBS by compiling 43.6 points per game. They rank 68th on defense (24.7 points allowed per game).
  • The Broncos have been firing on all cylinders in the running game this season, as they rank third-best in rushing offense (258.7 rushing yards per game) and 13th-best in rushing defense (104.7 rushing yards allowed per game).
  • Boise State has the 89th-ranked defense this season in terms of third-down efficiency (41.1% third-down conversion rate allowed), and has been more effective on offense, ranking fourth-best with a 52.3% third-down conversion rate.
  • With 14 forced turnovers (55th in the FBS) against seven turnovers committed (sixth in the FBS), the Broncos’ +7 turnover margin is the 23rd-best in college football.

Boise State 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Ashton Jeanty RB 1,893 YDS / 26 TD / 189.3 YPG / 7.4 YPC
17 REC / 98 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 10.9 REC YPG
Maddux Madsen QB 2,194 YDS (63.6%) / 19 TD / 3 INT
184 RUSH YDS / 3 RUSH TD / 18.4 RUSH YPG
Cam Camper WR 40 REC / 665 YDS / 4 TD / 66.5 YPG
Matt Lauter TE 34 REC / 409 YDS / 6 TD / 40.9 YPG
Jayden Virgin DL 28 TKL / 7 TFL / 9 SACK
Seyi Oladipo DB 36 TKL / 7 TFL / 5.5 SACK
Ahmed Hassanein DL 30 TKL / 5 TFL / 7.5 SACK
Ty Benefield DB 41 TKL / 3 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD

Wyoming’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/31/2024 at Arizona State L 48-7
9/7/2024 vs. Idaho L 17-13
9/14/2024 vs. BYU L 34-14
9/21/2024 at North Texas L 44-17
9/28/2024 vs. Air Force W 31-19
10/12/2024 vs. San Diego State L 27-24
10/19/2024 at San Jose State L 24-14
10/26/2024 vs. Utah State L 27-25
11/2/2024 at New Mexico W 49-45
11/15/2024 at Colorado State L 24-10
11/23/2024 vs. Boise State
11/30/2024 at Washington State

Wyoming 2024 Stats & Insights

  • Wyoming has lots of room to get better, as it ranks 16th-worst in total yards per game (325.8) and 19th-worst in total yards allowed per game (429).
  • Wyoming is accumulating 185.4 passing yards per game on offense this season (109th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 227.8 passing yards per contest (80th-ranked) on defense.
  • The Cowboys’ offense has been bottom-25 this season, posting 20.4 points per game, which ranks 17th-worst in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, they rank 107th with 30.9 points ceded per contest.
  • The Cowboys’ defense has been bottom-25 in run defense this season, surrendering 201.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks 17th-worst in the FBS. On offense, they rank 89th with 140.4 rushing yards per contest.
  • Wyoming’s third-down defense has been leading the way for the team, as it ranks fifth-best in the FBS with a 28.2% third-down conversion percentage allowed. In terms of offense, it is compiling a 37.5% third-down rate, which ranks 88th.
  • At -4, the Cowboys sport the 95th-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with nine forced turnovers (117th in the FBS) and 13 turnovers committed (51st in the FBS).

Wyoming 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Evan Svoboda QB 1,015 YDS (46.9%) / 4 TD / 7 INT
215 RUSH YDS / 5 RUSH TD / 23.9 RUSH YPG
Sam Scott RB 435 YDS / 3 TD / 48.3 YPG / 4.7 YPC
10 REC / 67 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 9.6 REC YPG
Kaden Anderson QB 839 YDS (57.5%) / 5 TD / 3 INT
27 RUSH YDS / 2 RUSH TD / 3.4 RUSH YPG
Tyler King WR 17 REC / 236 YDS / 0 TD / 26.2 YPG
Shae Suiaunoa LB 71 TKL / 7 TFL
Sabastian Harsh DL 41 TKL / 7 TFL / 3 SACK
Connor Shay LB 50 TKL / 4 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
Wrook Brown DB 37 TKL / 0 TFL / 3 INT / 4 PD

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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UW trustees vote against concealed carry rule; firearms to remain prohibited on campus for now

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UW trustees vote against concealed carry rule; firearms to remain prohibited on campus for now


LARAMIE, Wyo. — Following deliberation and public input, the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees voted 6–5 today against the proposed rule allowing the concealed carrying of dangerous weapons on campus grounds.

This means that the University of Wyoming will continue to operate under current policy prohibiting any dangerous weapon on university grounds, concealed or not and regardless of the bearer’s status as a concealed carry permit holder.

In a campus-wide email, UW President Ed Seidel said that the nature of the issue, with the university having been directed by Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon to make a decision on the rule before the state legislature makes it instead, means the issue will likely rise again.

“In that event, be assured that the administration will continue to work in the best interests of the university, with the safety of campus as our top priority,” Seidel said.

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Members of the Board of Trustees appeared to agree with that sentiment, as Board Chairman Kermit Brown said in the body’s Thursday meeting that continued deliberation over the issue will be like “sawing sawdust.”

The board members who voted in favor of the rule are Kermit Brown, Brad LaCroix, Jim Mathis, John McKinley and Dave True. The board members opposed are David Fall, Brad Bonner, Carol Linton, Macey Moore, Laura Schmid-Pizzato and Michelle Sullivan.

According to Seidel, some exceptions to the current rule may be allowed at the discretion of the UW Police, which would have enforced the new rule if it were implemented starting around the new year. The UW Police website can be viewed here.

The state legislature will begin meeting for the 2025 General Session the second Tuesday of January. During the session, a new bill regarding concealed carry on campus is likely to spring up. Wyoming’s legislature can be monitored at the body’s website here.

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In-N-Out Burger Slams Wyoming, And Wyomingites Say It Can Stay Out

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In-N-Out Burger Slams Wyoming, And Wyomingites Say It Can Stay Out


CHEYENNE — If you ask the folks at In-N-Out Burger, Wyoming is one of the worst places on the planet to “find yourself waking up in.”

Not Iran. Not Colima, Mexico, the murder capital of the world. Not even North Korea.

According to the popular fast-food chain that’s grown a cult following for its burgers and Animal-style fries, Wyoming and Florida are the two places people should least want to be.

“Don’t ever take California and In-N-Out for granted,” the company posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. “You could find yourself waking up in Florida or Wyoming one day.”

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The chain has more than 400 outlets, most in California. There are none in Wyoming or Florida.

Why Wyoming is somehow so undesirable is a mystery to the people who actually live here. And they feel the same, telling Cowboy State Daily that if that’s the opinion In-N-Out Burger has of Wyoming, it can just stay out.

“If that’s how they feel, they can just keep themselves in California,” said Cheyenne resident Jae Brown. “I don’t like In-N-Out anyway. They must have something against the good life.”

Why Wyoming?

The closest In-N-Out Burger location to Wyoming is in Loveland, Colorado, about 52 miles south of Cheyenne. Contact information for local restaurants isn’t public, with all listing the corporate office toll-free number.

Cowboy State Daily called the company’s corporate communications and marketing team and was told any questions had to be emailed to In-N-Out Burger and that someone would respond with answers. Nobody had responded by the time this story was published.

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We asked:

• What does In-N-Out Burger have against Wyoming?

• Why would it be bad for someone to wake up here, or in Florida?

• Is this a political statement, that Wyoming and Florida are big red states, while California and In-N-Out are blue; so, therefore, it’s better to not be in Wyoming or Florida?

• We have no In-N-Out Burger restaurants anywhere in Wyoming now; could that change in the future? Are there plans for Wyoming to have In-N-Out at some point?

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• What is your response to people who live in Wyoming or Florida who may be offended by the post?

(Cowboy State Daily Staff)

What’s Not To Love?

If there’s a contest of whether it’s better to be in Wyoming or California, “It’s Wyoming, hands down,” said Betsy Anderson of Cheyenne.

“I’ve been waking up in Wyoming for a long, long time,” she said, adding that there’s nothing special about In-N-Out. “I’ve tried it once, and it was a hamburger.”

John Borges spent his morning Friday ringing a bell in front of a Salvation Army red kettle at the Walmart off Dell Range Boulevard. He said he loves In-N-Out Burgers and would love for there to be one in Wyoming.

But he said the chain is 180 degrees wrong on its opinion of the Cowboy State.

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“I’ve been here since I was 16 and I love it,” he said. “There’s no place I’d rather live.”

Of the locals who chimed in on the In-N-Out post, nearly all threw out examples of why Wyoming not only isn’t a bad place to live, but better than California. Those include:

• No huge traffic jams going to and from work.

• No income tax, and much lower sales, property and other taxes.

• Fewer people.

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• Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. All said Yellowstone alone is enough to tip the scales in Wyoming’s favor.

The fires at Five Guys are so popular, they make them in huge batches.
The fires at Five Guys are so popular, they make them in huge batches. (Greg Johnson, Cowboy State Daily)

Wyomingites Are Just Smarter

As much as In-N-Out has its underground following, so does Five Guys, another popular fast-food burger chain famous for its burgers and hand-cut fries.

One of the big differences is Five Guys loves Wyoming and does a brisk business at its outlet in the Frontier Mall in Cheyenne, said Darlene Curby, who was busy taking orders as the restaurant opened Friday.

“I was born and raised here and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Curby said, adding there are other benefits working for Five Guys. “We make good money here in Wyoming and it goes farther. And the taxes for businesses is a big deal.”

Wyoming’s business-friendly tax environment alone should be enough for In-N-Out — or anyone – to want to set up shop in the Cowboy State, she said.

Andy Kuntz was ordering a drink and fries — “just a little snack” — and said he loves In-N-Out Burger.

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“But this is still better,” he added, pointing at the Five Guys menu board.

All the other debate aside, there’s one thing that tips the scales in Wyoming’s favor over California, said Nadine Murphy, who had just finished shopping at Walmart.

“I think it’s so much better here. I lived in New York, and I would take Wyoming any day,” she said. “And besides, in Wyoming we’re smart enough not to try and pet the buffalo.”

Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.



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